In short: I really enjoyed this one, although I don't know why the course goes around the fairly ordinary suburban streets of Beckenham, and then you get the chance to cool down by walking back through a beautiful park to the start? Why not change the route?Date of review: June 10, 2007

In short: challenging 10 k in warm conditionsIn full: Having trained on the very steep hills in Greenwich Park, the hills on this 2 circuit run held no fear.

No 54 bus stop was positioned very conveniently just by finish which allowed an easy get away to Blackheath. Personally I was dissappinted by a coaster as a memento, would have preferred a t-shirt or medal. Date of review: June 4, 2007

In short: OK race, but where was the water! In full: This was an ok race, nothing particully special.

Organisation was severly lacking though, On a very hot day you need more than 1 water station. My suggestion to the organisers would be that since this is a 1 and a half lap course, placing the water station at 5km (the single lap stretch) was a little poor. If they had put it at 3&7km, one water station would have served twice over.

Also lack of signs back to clubhouse left most of our members, walking an extra 4km through the golf course and getting lost in the woodland to find our way back.

In short: Enjoyable and welcoming race.In full: Lots of the race course runs through residential streets (as well as round the park) - but helpful marshals pointed out each change of direction.Route is 1.5 laps of the same course - so the final 3.5km is all familiar territory (including the hill).Coaster as a memento is more useful than a medal for regular runners (which most of the field were).Book early next year!Results loaded onto website by the time I got home (very efficient)

In short: 3 B*****d Hills and a Beer Mat to Show for itIn full: Lovely race to run even though there are 3 annoying hills around the course yet a flat would be just plain boring, nice course other than that with plently of turns and not just a box circut, little bit disappointed with the mat at the end but at least its something different see you all there next year.Date of review: June 3, 2007

In short: Ok if you are local and want a run out - Bad 10k overall.In full: Sorry to say to Beckenham Running Club, that this was one of the worse 10ks I have ran.

Negatives

1)Crowded Start - hardly get away 2)No Clock to show you youre time at the end and no one telling you either (lucky I had a watch)3)Route was through 80% urban areas. Bushes, cars, on and off pavements, people, and that rocky bit where you have to watch your footing - well!, fall and thats it.4)Beer mat was a bit on the cheap side.5)Had to walk a mile back to the changing rooms and got lost as there was no one telling you where to go. (thanks Park keeper)6)Km markers were hidden behind various objects.

Positives

1)The walk back at the end and getting lost was a good cool down2)Marshalls were encouraging.3)It was local and good for a few first timers and general joggers.4)You pass a Mcdonalds on route. I will stop off for a milkshake next time.

In short: Not a bad race. Awful coaster though for all finshers. In full: A fair course though it was a slight pain to be finishing somewhere other than at the start as it took me a while to get back to my car afterwards. Marshalling was OK but there was a slight uncertainty on the last left turn towards the finish as there was no marshall there at all and earlier finishers were just 'milling about' on this part of the course. My wife ran this as her first ever 10K and found the few hills challenging but for more experienced runners these shoulod be no real problem. The biggest disappointment was really the race memento. Something to put your cup on rather than hang up or put round your neck! Poor prize after what is a lot of effort for many runners.Date of review: June 3, 2007

In short: Back after 18 years and this was a great race to start with.In full: Just finished my first race in 18 years and it was a challenge but a very rewarding one. I discovered I ran faster in this than in my last 12 months of training runs - go figure. (despite those b*****d hills which are the bane of my life, watch out there is one very near the start and you do it twice!!!!). Be warned this is a June event and it was very hot as well so the finish line in the shade was a nice touch. But you must keep your fluids up before the race.

The atmosphere was great and I was very impressed with the organisation both before and during the event. Everyone seemed relaxed and good humoured. We even discovered a few friends were participating as well which made our day.

For anyone in the area, I would heartily recommend this, but book early. Word is getting out that this is a good race to be in. I'm certainly motivated to enter next year and I have a benchmark time to beat!!!! :)Date of review: June 3, 2007

In short: 2 laps on the pavements and hills of BeckenhamIn full: Will always remember this for jogging next to a bus and inhaling exhaust fumes for 1K. A nice day out with a nice gong and friendly people. Date of review: April 16, 2007

In short: Beckenham in BloomIn full: Hot weather made for a challenging race. Two big hills from what I can remember; the end being not the same as the start wasn't a problem as it was a pleasant stroll back across the park. Watch out for stroppy mums dropping their kids off at the Cricket on the way back... well, they do need so much space to drive their people carriers!Date of review: July 23, 2006